Plexi on the CP

[WBHarrison88]

Okay i know there was a recent thread about how to hold down plexi to a CP and the majority said that the buttons take a good care of that.

From this i got a question..

I got 3/4" MDF and want to get some T-Molding which will most likely be 3/4" as well..

so if i put plexi over my CP it will stick above the T-Molding... not sure what i can do for it not to look awkward.

Do they make really thin plexi than wont stick up to noticeably?

any other suggestions?

hope that didn't sound too confusing hahaha

[ids]

use 5/8" mdf, 1/8" plexi 

[opt2not]

[WBHarrison88]

use 5/8" mdf, 1/8" plexi 

Tell Lowes or Home Depot down here to stock it and ill be glad too 

So im forced to use 3/4" MDF so any other suggestions? lol

[ids]

5/8" plywood?  Sorry, just being an a** 

[WBHarrison88]

5/8" plywood?  Sorry, just being an a**  

We are all Entitled too be

[ids]

Thanks, please let my wife know.

To be honest, I've been contemplating the same issue (for about 2 years).  Not sure if the local homeDespot etc has 5/8" mdf, so I may go with the plywood...will probably be a few months before I have to decide.  If you find a good solution, please post.

thx

[WBHarrison88]

HA! I hear ya man.

I'll let you know if i run by something

[Beretta]

i'd just stick with the 3/4th slap the plexi on top and then use carriage bolts to hold the edges down.. if needed.. small CP's wont need any help.

lot of people on here will disagree with this, but thats their problem not yours.

it's up to you.. personally it does'nt bother me this is generally what i seen in the arcades.

[WhereEaglesDare]

the one that came on my cab sat ontop of the cp and was exposed on the sides as it was 3/4 board. the panel was 40x15 so the buttons and joysticks i guess werent enough, there was screws spaced through out the border.

[WBHarrison88]

the one that came on my cab sat ontop of the cp and was exposed on the sides as it was 3/4 board. the panel was 40x15 so the buttons and joysticks i guess werent enough, there was screws spaced through out the border.

I'm just worried how stupid plexi is going to look sitting above the T-Molding rather than flush.

Also just curious, you from SC?..

[RandyT]

Offset the slot in the 3/4" MDF by 1/8" toward the side you plan to put the plexi on.  Then hit the edge with some black paint before you apply the T-Molding.  You'll never notice the 1/8" black edge below the molding (unless you are looking for it, of course) and your plexi will be seated in the molding like you want.

RandyT

[WhereEaglesDare]

the one that came on my cab sat ontop of the cp and was exposed on the sides as it was 3/4 board. the panel was 40x15 so the buttons and joysticks i guess werent enough, there was screws spaced through out the border.

I'm just worried how stupid plexi is going to look sitting above the T-Molding rather than flush.

Also just curious, you from SC?..

AHHHH YEAAAA, why?  and it doesn't look bad at all, I don't think, but mine was factory cut, I think.

[Dazz]

Offset the slot in the 3/4" MDF by 1/8" toward the side you plan to put the plexi on.  Then hit the edge with some black paint before you apply the T-Molding.  You'll never notice the 1/8" black edge below the molding (unless you are looking for it, of course) and your plexi will be seated in the molding like you want.

RandyT

Do this... but I'd route off/bevel the bottom edge.

[WhereEaglesDare]

Offset the slot in the 3/4" MDF by 1/8" toward the side you plan to put the plexi on.  Then hit the edge with some black paint before you apply the T-Molding.  You'll never notice the 1/8" black edge below the molding (unless you are looking for it, of course) and your plexi will be seated in the molding like you want.

RandyT

Do this... but I'd route off/bevel the bottom edge.

please define how to Bevel

[EwJ]

see here

[WBHarrison88]

Offset the slot in the 3/4" MDF by 1/8" toward the side you plan to put the plexi on.  Then hit the edge with some black paint before you apply the T-Molding.  You'll never notice the 1/8" black edge below the molding (unless you are looking for it, of course) and your plexi will be seated in the molding like you want.

RandyT

Good thinking!

and thanks EwJ for the Link!

That shall solve my problem

[MaximRecoil]

Buy 7/8" T-molding for the control panel.

[Blanka]

Vandiktebank?

[syph007]

If you like routing, you could also route off 1/8" from the entire board... wouldnt be the fastest solution, but it's possible.

[Franco B]

That's a good point. I had not really thought about approaching it from that angle.

That may come in handy for a couple of other things where you need a specific sheet thickness. Thanks for the idea 

[Blanka]

Routing? Come on, that's why they made the tool I linked too. One side: input sheet too thick, other side: output sheet desired thickness.
Have no idea what the english name is.

[MaximRecoil]

Routing? Come on, that's why they made the tool I linked too. One side: input sheet too thick, other side: output sheet desired thickness.
Have no idea what the english name is.

It is called a planer.

But I don't see the problem here. Is buying 7/8" T-molding too obvious/simple/easy or something?

[WBHarrison88]

Thanks guys for everyones help.

7/8" T-Molding or Beveling the bottom of the CP seem to be the best solutions for me.


...mainly cause i don't have a planer   

[Franco B]

Routing? Come on, that's why they made the tool I linked too. One side: input sheet too thick, other side: output sheet desired thickness.
Have no idea what the english name is.

Oh yeah, I'm going to take up half my workshop with a tool I will use once in a blue moon when I have another that will do it just as well, albeit a little longer 

[Blanka]

I just thought, with all those wooden houses, every little 10 person hole in the USA must have at least 3 woodshops with planers! Add the recession to that and there must be a zillion planers catching dust and having someone hanging around to help you with them.

edit by saint - language

[Beretta]

"edit by saint - language" 

now you got me wondering.

[jmike]

Offset the slot in the 3/4" MDF by 1/8" toward the side you plan to put the plexi on.  Then hit the edge with some black paint before you apply the T-Molding.  You'll never notice the 1/8" black edge below the molding (unless you are looking for it, of course) and your plexi will be seated in the molding like you want.

RandyT

Do this... but I'd route off/bevel the bottom edge.

What a great idea. I actually started a different thread with the same question. This will definitely do the trick.

BTW thanks for the link EwJ

    

[eclipso]

I am really suprised we do not have a member who cuts plexi for others, we seem to have someone for just about everything else.

[Triangel7D]

Have you tried calling local lumber yards? Most can special order 5/8" MDF. I searched in every Lowes and Home Depot for months, until I broke down and paid $30+ for a special order sheet of 5/8". I'm close to the end result, and it's totally worth the price. Plus, I have enough MDF to make 3 or 4 more CPs!

[WhereEaglesDare]

my local lumber yards dont even carry mdf, they said nobody was buying it, plus with the humidity its probably not cost effective to keep in stock, Lowes has 1/2 in and 3/4 in though    1/2 in and 1/4 in plexi would work, i may useit it next time.